2026 Kia EV9: Lakewood Buyers Guide

Why a family in Ocean County looks at an EV9

Lakewood, Toms River, Brick, and Howell all sit within a short drive of the Parkway, which makes daily EV commuting an easy sell — most household trips here are well inside any EV9's range, and the times that matter (a Shore Points run in July, a trip up to the city) are exactly what the Long Range battery and the fast-charging network are built for. The EV9 also solves the space question that stops a lot of EV shoppers cold: it's a genuine three-row, seating six or seven depending on configuration, not a compact crossover pretending to be a family car.

Kia didn't redesign the EV9 for 2026 — this is a refinement pass on the same third-year platform — but the changes that did land are the ones that matter at a charger. Every trim now uses the NACS port instead of the outgoing CCS1 connector, which opens up a much larger fast-charging network without an adapter for most stops (Kia still includes one for CCS-only stations). Kia also trimmed some pricing versus last year and nudged range up slightly on a couple of configurations.

Two batteries, two very different jobs

The Light trim runs the smaller 76.1-kWh Standard Range battery, good for an EPA-estimated 230 miles and 215 horsepower from its single rear motor. Step to Light Long Range and the battery grows to 99.8 kWh for 305 miles — the longest range in the lineup — but here's the trap that catches people cross-shopping on a spec sheet: the bigger battery actually drops peak output to 201 hp. More range does not mean more power on these two RWD trims; it's a genuine trade-off, not an upgrade in every direction. Wind, Land, and GT-Line all share that same 99.8-kWh pack but add a second motor for all-wheel drive and 379 combined horsepower, with range settling between 280 and 283 miles depending on trim and wheel package.

Pick your 2026 EV9

What EV9 owners say about DiFeo Kia

DiFeo Kia already has a track record with the EV9 in its own reviews, not just the showroom. One recent lease customer: "Enjoyed working with Maggie, Chris, Mike, and especially Joel on securing my EV9 lease! Joel was knowledgeable, good natured, and pleasure to deal with." Another buyer who moved up from a Sorento to an EV9 put it simply: "There are many closer Kia dealerships to me but I go out of my way to bring my vehicle here for any service. They are extremely polite, professional, quick, and informative." A third owner, working with Simon on the purchase: "Simon is always professional, friendly, and attentive to our needs. He has sold/leased us our last four vehicles." Names like Joel and Simon show up across years of the store's reviews, which says something about staff turnover — or the lack of it.

Owning an EV9 in Ocean County

Charging and maintenance work differently on an EV than on the gas SUVs this dealership also sells, and the EV9 service & repair guide covers what that actually looks like — tire rotations and cabin filters instead of oil changes, what winter does to real-world range on the Parkway, and the service department the store's reviews keep naming. The money side — New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, why the federal EV tax credit no longer applies, and how EV9 leasing compares to a gas SUV lease — is broken down in the pricing & leasing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Kia EV9 a good buy?

For a family that wants three-row space without a gas SUV's fuel stops, yes — it's one of the few affordable EVs actually sized for that job, backed by Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The trade-offs are real too: no complimentary scheduled maintenance is included, and range drops noticeably in cold weather, both worth weighing against a hybrid Sorento or Telluride if range anxiety is a real concern for your driving pattern.

How much does a 2026 Kia EV9 cost?

Orderable trims run $54,900 to $71,900 MSRP before the $1,645 destination charge. That's before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration — the pricing guide works through the full math, and current DiFeo Kia offers refresh monthly.

What is the real range of the EV9?

EPA estimates run 230 miles (Light) to 305 miles (Light Long Range), with the AWD trims landing at 280-283 miles. Those are EPA test numbers, not a guarantee — cold weather, highway speeds, and a full third row all pull real-world range down, sometimes meaningfully in a Jersey winter, so budget some cushion rather than planning trips to the mile.

Is the EV9 bigger than a Telluride?

They're close, and DiFeo Kia sells both, so a side-by-side test drive settles it faster than spec sheets. The EV9 rides on Kia's dedicated E-GMP electric platform rather than the Telluride's, which changes cargo packaging even where exterior dimensions are similar.

Is the EV9 eligible for a federal tax credit?

No. The federal new-EV tax credit expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so it does not apply to a 2026 EV9 purchase today. Ask DiFeo Kia's finance team about any current New Jersey state-level incentive programs, which are separate from the expired federal credit and change independently.

Where can I test drive a 2026 EV9 near Toms River or Brick?

DiFeo Kia at 1320 Ocean Ave in Lakewood stocks the EV9 lineup — browse live inventory or book a test drive online, with at-home delivery available for buyers who'd rather skip the trip in.

One electric SUV, one Lakewood showroom

The trim guides above narrow the choice to power, range, or price; the way to finish the decision is behind the wheel. DiFeo Kia keeps the current EV9 lineup on one lot a few minutes off Route 9 and the Parkway — the only Kia store in Lakewood, and the one with the EV9 reviews to match.